BANY News

When I first found out about Kenes Sniffim my immediate reaction was: Great! A chance to see old friends and maybe meet some new ones! But as I began to read more about the program I started to realize there would be much more I could gain from Kenes Sniffim.   

          I was hoping I might get some ideas to help me become and a better Madricha and also acquire some new Peulot planning skills. Kenes Sniffim surpassed my expectations. I particularly enjoyed listening to Rav Yona talk about Torah va’Avodah, a concept that I have grown up hearing about.  

           Sitting at the table on Friday night, I was overwhelmed by the amazing ruach of the shabbaton, When I closed my eyes I was transported right back to Mach Hach. It’s an incredible feeling to hear the so many voices blending together with such emotion and meaning. 

          I enjoyed every aspect of this shabbaton, and in some ways I have come home a different person.  I was worried that I might get caught up in the comfort of being with people I know and who I see every day at school- Safety in numbers, but thankfully, despite not being the most outgoing person, immediately a group of people came over to welcome me. Once we started talking I realized how similar we are, sharing the same beliefs, goals and ideals. I know that these new friends, despite distance will be people who I remain firm friends with forever.   

          Growing up in a small community with a tiny but powerful snif, I sometimes find it easy to forget just how many people there are out there who believe in the principals that I do, Am Yisrael, B’eretz Yisrael, Al Pi Torat Yisrael. Kenes Snifim, and shabbatonim like it, gives me the opportunity to be reminded that there are so many others just like me; I can sum it up best with a song a learnt a long time ago at a shabbaton in Philadelphia.

          Yesh lanu ruach va;meretz b’chol she’osim, ki anu chaveirim b’nei Akiva. Omdim kulanu bi’yachad, tamid matzlichim ki anu Bnei Akiva- TORAH V’AVODAH

 

-Boston Shlicha